Florida savings heat up

JAY CLARKETHE BALTIMORE SUN

It's the deal season in South Florida.

The snowbirds have flown back north, the kids are out of school and gas prices are putting a crimp in plans for summer jaunts, so hotels, restaurants and attractions in South Florida are serving up summer specials.

Fort Lauderdale, for instance, is promoting a "Summer of Discovery," and it's not just an empty slogan. It's a season of two-for-one deals at area activities and attractions.

Dixie Divers in Broward County offers a four-hour, two-site snorkeling trip, including gear, on a twofer basis (954- 420-0009 or 888-772-DIVE, dixiedivers. com).

The Spa on the Broadwalk at the Hollywood Beach Marriott provides a two-for-one on any spa treatment (954-874-3197, hollywoodbeachmarriott.com).

Butterfly World will admit two to its exotic aviary for the price of one (954- 977-4400, butterflyworld.com), and you can take a companion free on a three-hour Jungle Queen Riverboat daytime sightseeing cruise on the New River (954-462-5596, junglequeen.com).

Key West, too, is into the twofer game. The Key West Attractions Association offers two-for-one adult admission coupons through Oct. 15 at 10 of the city's most popular attractions (keywestfun. org).

Even sophisticated Palm Beach, the winter playground of the privileged, goes into a discount mode from now until mid-December. The county's visitor booklet, "$1,000 Worth of the Palm Beaches for Free," offers savings on shopping, dining, sports and attractions, as well as two-for-one theater tickets and museum admissions (561-233-3000, palmbeachfl.com).

In Miami-Dade County, the Miami MetroZoo this summer is distributing two-for-one admission coupons on the necks of 2-liter Pepsi bottles (305-251-0400, mi amimetrozoo.com).

And during Miami Restaurant Month (August-September), you can dine at reduced rates ($20.06 for lunch or $30.06 for dinner, tax and gratuity excluded) at select restaurants (305-539-3000, miami restaurantmonth.com).

But deals aren't limited to dining and sightseeing. South Florida hotels and resorts are beckoning with summer packages at a substantial discount from winter rates. Here is a small sampling:

Boca Raton --The Boca Raton Resort and Club's Best of Boca summer package includes lodging, $100 food and beverage credit, unlimited golf and tennis and $300 in bonus certificates for use in retail shops and resort activities. Packages start at $259 per room, to Sept. 30. 888- 95-BOCA, bocaresort.com.

South Beach --A Get Wild Weekend Family Package at The Palms Hotel includes three nights in an oceanfront room, ticket for two adults and two children to the Jungle Encounter at Parrot Jungle Island and a half-day Everglades Adventure by airboat. Cost is $950 to Oct. 5, $1,150 Oct. 6-Dec. 28, based on two adults and two children. 800-550-0505 or thepalmshotel.com.

Key West --Ocean Key Suites' Return to Paradise package, priced at $279 per night, includes junior suite accommodations, breakfast for two and two cocktails each day on Sunset Pier. 800-328-9815, oceankey.com.